NEW YORK — NBC News has begun laying off employees as the network prepares for a major structural shift — its official separation from MSNBC. According to multiple reports, more than 100 NBC News staffers are expected to lose their jobs as part of the ongoing reorganization.
More Than 100 Employees Affected
The layoffs began Wednesday, with affected workers called into individual meetings to learn their employment status, a source told Fox News Digital. The move marks one of the most significant workforce reductions at the network in recent years and comes as NBC News prepares for life without its longtime cable news partner, MSNBC.
NBC has not publicly confirmed the total number of layoffs or provided a statement regarding the restructuring.
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Union Criticism Over Job Cuts
The NewsGuild of New York, representing nearly 6,000 media workers in the region, sharply criticized NBC’s decision to downsize rank-and-file employees instead of trimming from the executive level.
“Instead of restructuring at the top, corporate profits are being maximized at the expense of our hard-working members who create the very value that drives NBC’s success,” said Susan DeCarava, president of the NewsGuild of New York.
The union has urged NBC’s parent company, Comcast, to reconsider the cuts, warning that staff reductions could impact newsroom quality and morale during an already turbulent period in the media industry.
The NBC–MSNBC Split
NBC News and MSNBC have operated closely for decades, with MSNBC depending on NBC’s reporting resources and newsroom talent since its launch nearly 30 years ago. That relationship is now ending.
Comcast announced in 2024 that it would spin off MSNBC and several other cable networks into a separate company, now officially known as Versant. The move aims to streamline operations and give MSNBC greater autonomy as it continues to shape its progressive brand identity.
Earlier this month, NBC staffers who accepted roles within MSNBC officially transitioned to their new positions. The two organizations have already begun operating separately, with MSNBC ceasing to rely on NBC News for most operations — except in Washington, D.C., where joint coverage will continue until October 20.
Full Independence for MSNBC
After the October 20 deadline, MSNBC will no longer participate in NBC News-led editorial calls or meetings, marking the first time in its history that the network will function entirely independently.
According to network insiders, this operational divide has forced NBC to reevaluate its internal structure and staffing needs. The layoffs, though painful, are part of that realignment.
A Shifting Media Landscape
The layoffs at NBC News reflect a broader trend across the media industry, as major outlets continue to cut staff amid declining cable viewership, advertising shifts, and the financial pressures of digital transformation.
While the NBC–MSNBC split is designed to give each brand greater flexibility and focus, the immediate cost is being felt most acutely by newsroom employees.
As one insider put it, “It’s the end of an era for NBC and MSNBC — and for many of the people who helped build it.”
Once the separation is finalized later this month, MSNBC will stand on its own for the first time in 30 years, closing a historic chapter in American broadcast journalism.
